On May 7, 2025, India undertook a historic nationwide blackout drill, simulating large-scale power outages across major cities and towns to assess emergency response capabilities. The exercise, orchestrated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), aimed to evaluate the country’s readiness in the face of potential threats to critical infrastructure.(The Siasat Daily, Wikipedia)
The blackout simulation commenced as early as 6:00 PM in certain regions and extended into the night in others. In Surat, Gujarat, the lights were turned off without prior local announcements to test the spontaneity and preparedness of both officials and residents. Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally oversaw the drill at the Reserve Police Lines in Lucknow, emphasizing the importance of coordinated security measures during such scenarios.(The Siasat Daily)
In Bareilly, a complete blackout was observed from 8:00 to 8:10 PM, with citizens participating by turning off all electrical devices, including inverters, and refraining from using flashlights or mobile phones. Delhi’s New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area, encompassing Connaught Place and Lutyens’ Delhi, experienced a blackout from 8:00 to 8:15 PM, excluding essential establishments like Rashtrapati Bhawan, the Prime Minister’s residence, and hospital ICUs. Mumbai’s blackout began at 8:00 PM in areas such as Anushakti Nagar, Govandi, Atomic Colony, and Tarapur, where switchyards were utilized to cut power supply in a coordinated manner.(Business Today, mint)
Other regions, including Gurugram, Vishakhapatnam, Noida, Guwahati, Patna, and Shimla, also participated in the drill, each tailoring the blackout to their specific needs and infrastructure. In Gurugram, a full-night blackout was implemented to test emergency systems in a “no-light zone” scenario. Shimla activated sirens shortly after 7:00 PM to signal the start of its blackout exercise, alerting residents and emergency responders.(The Siasat Daily, The Times of India)
This comprehensive drill was initiated in response to heightened concerns over national security vulnerabilities, particularly attacks on critical infrastructure like electricity grids. The MHA plans to review reports from all participating districts and states to assess readiness levels and identify areas requiring improvement.(The Siasat Daily)
